What was that last post about?  My site must have a ghost in it as I didn’t send that last post out!  The post was accutally from LAST YEAR, not this year.  How weird is that?  Since I am powerless in the face of problems with the computer world I will correct this with the REAL schedule for this fall.  Lets precede.

Stretching and Strengthening Classes Fall 2012

12 Week Session  $90    with senior discount $75    Chair Class $60  Classes

Classes start week of September 10

Monday    6 pm                                                                                  Downtown Pinckney

Tuesday    9:30 am                                                                            149 N. Howell St.

Tuesday    11 am  (chair class)                                                       734 878-2113

Thursday  9:30 am

Call to reserve your spot or for question 734 878-2113

stretchforhealth@gmail.com

Those words were spoken by my 67 year old female client (she was imitating Popeye the sailor man) when she came for her last massage.  The weeds this summer have been dreadful.  Light winter snows, very early spring and unseasonably warm weather have make for the perfect weedy garden mess.  Many clients have what I call the “Weeding Syndrome”, pain in the neck, shoulders, low back, elbows and arms.   Weeding takes hours and when we do it we tend to over -do it by spending hours in bent or squatting positions.  When I weed I sit on a milk crate.  It’s the perfect height, I have a wide weeding range in front and to the sides, and I support my chest on my thighs.   This method works well for me as long as I take breaks and stretch.

This is kinda what I look like with out the milk crate.)

The shoulders, arms and low back seem to be the areas most effected by weeding.  A few minutes of stretching can save days of stiffness.

Rhomboid Stretch

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Side Roll for your low back

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I do this stretch when I’m traveling.  You should see the looks I get on the lawn or picnic table at road side parks.

I want this for my garden- do you think it’ll work?

Lets hear a loud hallelujah for summer time, before I start moaning about the heat.  Summer classes start next week ( week of June 11) – air conditioner installed and ready to go.  Call 734 878-2113 with questions or to reserve a spot.

Classes run once a week for 10 weeks- each class an hour.  You will feel healthier, younger and have less pain.

You learn a 10 minute routine to do at home (hitting problem areas of neck, shoulders, hips and low back)

You spend 15-20 minutes doing resistance band work strengthening upper body (yes the hanging downie upper arms) and the core

Stretching the whole body from head to toe and finishing with yoga for 45 minutes.

10 weeks $75  (senior discount 65 and over $60).   Chair class $50 for 10 weeks no discount

Monday 6pm         Tuesday 9:30 am         Thursday 9:30 am

Hitting the trail last summer- the wine trail that is.  I’m with my lovely daughter Birchann.

Long time no see. It feels good to be posting a new blog to share with you. I’ve been a real slug when it comes to writing. I’ve been so busy with working, treating clients, teaching stretching classes and teaching massage at college. All worthy excuses to be sure. I’ve been getting emails commenting on my videos, asking questions, giving thanks (who wouldn’t love that!), asking why I’m not posting any more. It’s time to get back to it. What really got me off track is my camera man (Spud) who is working full time and going to school. It takes time to do the filming and editing. The plan is to make some new video’s this summer with a few improvements added in.

This is my most popular video on youtube and with all the walking, jogging and running you’re doing I’m sure you need it!

Shin Spint Stretch

A pulled hamstring is a pain in my ass- seriously. I knew it was getting tight and I didn’t step up my stretching. Wham Bam one little move the wrong way and I’m limping for a few weeks. The reason my normal daily stretching didn’t keep it stretched out is I teach 3 stretching/ resistance band classes in less than 12 hours. We’ve been doing a new (really awesome) lower body resistant band workout that should have a rest day between workouts. What I should have been doing and will start doing now is using a weaker band for 2 of the classes so as not to over work my muscles. Hindsight is always 20-20! You get the most benefit from a resistant workout (either with bands or weights) 2-3 times a week. The recommended times vary depending on age and fitness ability but you can get a decent upper body and core workout done in 15-20 minutes. What ever you do don’t forget to stretch!

Hamstring Stretch

How do you face the winter? The dark cold days that seem to never end. My natural urge is to hibernate until spring, just give me some dry firewood, a blanket and a good book. But I know what’s good for me and I force myself to go out into the cold. Once I’m bundled up (that means long underwear) I head out to enjoy the weather thought the eyes of my dog. Malcolm doesn’t mind if it’s cold, wet, muddy, or snowy he just loves to be outside walking with me. He never seems to be bored by seeing the same old dull trees and bushes. His joy knows no bounds when it comes to sniffing the scenery and the yellow snow. I might have to force myself out the door but once there I take a tip from the dog and just enjoy the my few moments of fresh air and nature. I’m not in a rush to get somewhere, I’m not running a race, I’m just enjoying a walk. Since I’m not trying to log on my miles (I like the treadmill in the winter for that) I can enjoy 20 minutes of just being outside without any pressure to “get my heart rate up” or “increase my pace”. Who knows, maybe a little of that Vit D gets through the clouds that we always have here in Michigan in the winter.

Start your new year off right with a stretching class